The Port of Milford Haven – the UK’s leading energy port comprising the single largest cluster of energy-related businesses – plans to design and install a hydrogen fuelling demonstrator onsite as part of Phase 2 of its HyPR Project. The HyPR (Hydrogen Port Refuelling) Project aims to facilitate the next generation of clean maritime vessels, support the adoption of zero-emission vessels, overcome barriers to wider adoption, and help to pave the way towards net-zero operations.
The Port of Milford Haven handles or processes around 20% of the UK’s energy needs, and currently supports employment for 5,000 highly skilled workers in Wales. While decarbonisation presents a challenge to the maritime sector, it also provides a valuable opportunity to bring further skilled, long-term jobs into the area.
The Milford Haven Waterway is a busy shipping gateway handling liquid, bulk, break bulk and heavy lift cargoes, as well as twice-daily freight and passenger ferry sailings. A robust development strategy is in place, geared towards creating new opportunities within the marine renewables sector.
The Hydrogen Port Refuelling initiative, funded by Welsh Government, is a collaborative project led by the Port, which leverages expertise from a diverse group of specialists who are dedicated to advancing the hydrogen economy across the Milford Waterway.
Tom Sawyer, Chief Executive, Port of Milford Haven commented:
“The Milford Haven Waterway is a critical national energy asset, attracting billions of pounds in investment for over sixty years and supplying 20% of the UK’s annual energy demand.
“The Waterway has a pivotal role to play in delivering the UK’s net zero ambitions, offering a whole energy cycle solution that will unlock a just transition, while stimulating economic growth. This is an opportunity that will reindustrialise South West Wales, sustaining and creating jobs for generations to come.”
HyPR Phase 2 partners include leading energy advisory and engineering consultancy Apollo, whose team, deeply invested in the energy transition, will conduct a renewable energy feasibility study to support green hydrogen generation. Dolphyn Hydrogen, a renewable energy development company focused on large-scale hydrogen production from floating offshore wind, will design the refuelling station. Leading UK renewable energy development specialist Haush is establishing a green hydrogen generation facility at Pembroke Port, and will build the business case for the hydrogen refueller unit.
Phase 2 of HyPR will encompass design and planning for a demonstrator maritime hydrogen fuelling station to support the adoption of zero-emission vessels and overcome barriers to wider adoption.
As the UK’s leading technology innovation and research centre for offshore renewable energy, the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult’s clean maritime team will work closely with our Wales office colleagues, providing the consortium with project management and stakeholder engagement support. The consortium welcomes input from organisations in the clean maritime sector who can help propel HyPR Phase 2 towards delivering a green hydrogen refueller at The Port of Milford Haven that will meet the emerging needs of the maritime industry.
This project is funded by Welsh Government.
The Welsh Government Smart Living Hydrogen Business Research & Innovation for Decarbonisation or HYBRID SBRI programme supports innovative and research solutions to deliver the Wales Hydrogen Pathway and Net Zero Wales CB2 – 2021-2025.
Investment in the scheme is designed to speed up the deployment of hydrogen as a key energy vector, and help Wales meet its national commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.